The 49ers are where the Raiders were three years ago – drastically undermanned, in the midst of unrelenting losing, and with Fort Knox-like money under the salary cap. Obviously, the 10-2 Raiders have made the right moves in hiring coach Jack Del Rio, drafting players like Derek Carr and Amari Cooper, and acquiring players like …

Niners safety Dashon Goldson said he expected to start today; and he was right.

After missing the first two regular-season games due to a knee injury, Goldson will start at free safety today alongside Donte Whitner. In Goldson’s absence, Madieu Williams started the first two games.

Despite constant rumors that various quarterback-needy NFL teams have inquired about Brett Favre’s services, his playing career hasn’t been revived.
But that doesn’t mean he’s done with football.
Favre will serve as a color commentator for his alma mat… …

(09-23) 20:48 PDT — Jim Harbaugh is doing what Mike Singletary did before him, and Mike Nolan before Singletary.
He’s playing a conservative, run-oriented offense with the hope that the 49ers’ defense will win games.
It’s a logical plan, particularl… …

(09-23) 23:57 PDT — The 49ers are taking precautions in case of another injury to quarterback Alex Smith, and that includes more playing time this week in practice for rookie Colin Kaepernick.
Coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Thursday that Smith sustaine… …

The defensive coordinator is new, the personnel is different and the results, so far, have been similar for the 49ers’ secondary.
A year after top-end NFL quarterbacks went from elite to otherworldly when facing San Francisco, Cowboys quarterback Tony … …

One of the more memorable moments in 49ers’ history was a thoroughly forgettable one for San Francisco offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
Roman, who developed a close relationship with legendary NFL coach and former Bengals owner Paul Brown growing up, … …

Wondering whether to start Tom Brady and Calvin Johnson, or to bench Kerry Collins and Jason Snelling? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for help with real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

After one test, the script has stayed the same for the 49ers’ secondary: It’s no match for a good quarterback.

On Thursday, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio acknowledged that Tony Romo was better than his defensive backfield, which allowed the Cowboys quarterback to complete 11 of 14 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown in the final 14 minutes of Dallas’ 27-24 overtime win.

In an effort to acclimate to the Eastern time zone, the 49ers will stay in Youngstown, Ohio, in between Sunday’s game in Cincinnati and their meeting at Philadelphia on Oct. 2.
On Wednesday, coach Jim Harbaugh said the move is being made, in part, in r… …

Wide receiver Braylon Edwards had a surgical procedure on his right knee this week and will be sidelined “for a little bit,” 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday.
CSN Bay Area reported that Edwards suffered a torn meniscus, which could sideline him … …

The Niners have gained 415 yards this season, the fewest they’ve had in back-to-back games since they managed 398 yards in the final two games of the 2007 season.

How can they improve?

Tight end Vernon Davis has some thoughts on the subject. And he shared them with coach Jim Harbaugh this week after an overtime loss to the Cowboys in which Davis said he was surprised he was asked to do so much blocking.